RESEALED ERYTHROCYTES: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR DRUG TARGETING

*Shubhangi Jagannath Patil, Poonam Shankar Nalawade, Ulka Nathuram Mote, Prachi Prasad Haval Swati Prakash Gatade

ABSTRACT

Now a days the present scenario is focusing more towards the targeted drug delivery systems because of the increasing interest in taking of safe drugs with less amount of drug, which is capable of reaching at the desired target site with minimal side effects. The main problem is associated with the systemic drug administration which is related to biodistribution of pharmaceuticals throughout the body. Amongst all the carrier systems Erythrocytes have been most interesting carrier and have been found to possess great potential in targeting, because of having characteristics like biocompatible, biodegradable, possess long circulation and can be loaded with a variety of biological compounds. Resealed erythrocytes are gaining more popularity because of their ability to circulate throughout the body, biocompatibility, zero order release kinetics, reproducibility and ease of preparation. Most of the resealed erythrocytes used as drug carriers are rapidly taken up from blood by macrophages of reticuloendothelial system (RES), which is present in liver, lung and spleen of the body. In this comprehensive article the history of erythrocyte, carrier erythrocyte, some biological methods, isolation, in vitro and in vivo characteristics, delivery strategies, diagnostic and therapeutic applications and generation of resealed erythrocytes is reviewed.

Keywords: Erythrocytes, Resealed erythrocytes, Drug targeting, Evaluation, Applications.